VirusBarrier X6: About the Anti-Spyware feature

VirusBarrier X6 lets you control access from your Mac to the Internet and local networks by individual applications. While your firewall settings may allow general network access, the Anti-Spyware tab lets you choose how VirusBarrier X6 reacts when specific applications try to access the network. This helps you in two ways:

You can prevent users from accessing the network with specific applications.

If an application attempts to connect to the network behind your back, VirusBarrier X6 stops it in its tracks, alerts you, and waits for you to decide whether to allow it to do so or to block it.

Your Mac has many applications that access the Internet or other networks, including web browsers, e-mail programs, FTP (file transfer) programs and instant messaging applications. But there may also be programs that connect to the network without telling you, in order to verify the serial numbers of software installed on your computer, collect and send personal information without your awareness, or open a backdoor on your Mac to provide access to hackers or vandals. VirusBarrier X6 notifies you of such attempts and allows you to decide whether to allow them.

To turn on the Anti-Spyware feature, move the Spyware protection slider to ON.

It is possible to inadvertently block applications and necessary processes from accessing the Internet. For example, if you are asked to Deny or Allow your web browser or iTunes access to the Internet, and accidentally choose Deny, you will experience issues with these applications.

We do not have the Anti-Spyware feature turned On with our Default settings. Anti-Spyware can be turned On or Off under the Privacy button in the VirusBarrier X6 window.

It is also possible to allow applications and processes unlimited access to the Internet through the Anti-Spyware feature in VirusBarrier X6. This will prevent VirusBarrier X6 from asking about access for these applications and processes.

As long as the risks associated with allowing applications and processes are understood, this can be done by highlighting the application or process in the left column under the Anti-Spyware tab, and setting Undefined port behavior to Allow outgoing connections in the list.

For more detailed information on using the Anti-Spyware feature in VirusBarrier X6, please click here.